Industrial Aluminum Table

So this is my first post to Instructables. Hope you like it.

I bought a cheap table off Craigslist for a few bucks. It's top was damaged pretty bad, so I decided to remove it and try something new. I've had this large round of aluminum for years in my shop. It was bolted to my drill press when I got it. So I thought Id give it a go....

Here's my how to and a video of the project.

I decided that the ball and claw legs would look out of place on my industrial table, so I took them off in order to shape them a bit more modern.

Removing these legs just required a 3/8" wrench.

The table top was connected with 3 screws.

This took three different tools

A bandsaw to remove rough details
a belt sander to get the basic shape
a palm or random orbit sander to get it smooth.

For me, I wanted to make the base a bit more modern too. This table had a number of curves, or as we call them beads, that make it more traditional. I removed them on my lathe.

Now it's ready for a top...

My top had a number of holes in it, as it was once attached to my drill press and anchored to someones shop floor. I figured all it's wear would only add to the cool industrial look.

I used bolts to attach it and then cut them flush with my reciprocating saw. This step went more smooth in my head...

This took the longest. About an hour of sanding, sanding, sanding and then a bit more...

I took the grit up to 400 before buffing it out with some paste wax

I was originally going to leave the holes around the edge, but then I chose to add some bolts.

I found 6 matching bolts and JBWelded them in place. Then really add that extra bit to the piece.

Finally I spray painted the base black and added three coats of clear enamel to the top. I used a folded shop towel and my sander to buff the enamel to a smooth sheen.

All in all a cool piece.

Here's a video I made documenting the process.

Thanks for looking!